Tripp leaves Roundhouse a more responsive place
When New Mexico House Speaker Don Tripp, R-Socorro, turns over his gavel, as well as his legislative seat, on Jan. 17, he leaves the often gridlocked, sometimes raucous Roundhouse a more efficient, accessible and civil place.
Here’s to a New Year’s resolution for lawmakers to continue that in his stead.
House Republicans unanimously elected Tripp, a jeweler who represents Catron, Socorro and Valencia counties, to the powerful position of speaker in 2015 when the party took control of the chamber. That’s not a surprise, considering everyone, from the lawmakers he has defeated to those who have defeated him, speaks highly of his approach to representing New Mexicans.
Tripp defeated Democratic Rep. Michael Olguin, then the majority leader, in 1998. When Tripp became speaker, Olguin said his methodical, calm and relaxed demeanor was “very badly needed during the session.”
He succeeded Rep. Ken Martinez, D-Grants, as speaker. Martinez said he was handing off House oversight to a man who is, quite simply, “inherently nice. I think he’s inherently fair. He’ll be pushed to be more partisan, when I think his druthers will be to be more fair, so that’ll be an interesting struggle.” It should be duly noted that Tripp’s fairness won the struggle. One of his first and important orders of business was to implement scheduling changes to make the House run on time and be more efficient. That’s especially helpful to members of the public who take time off from their work and lives to watch and participate in the legislative process.
Democrats regained control of the House in November and Tripp announced last week he would be retiring. Incoming Speaker Rep. Brian Egolf, D-Santa Fe, says some of Tripp’s scheduling changes, including starting House committee hearings on time, will continue despite his retirement. That’s important to New Mexicans, who deserve a more responsive Roundhouse.
They also deserve more of Tripp’s low-key, fair approach to politics.